3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
2Corinthians 6:3-13
This was Apostle Paul speaking to the church of God in Corinth, but as I read it, I felt as if he was speaking directly to us- Cornerstone. Paul Choi (not apostle paul) and I were talking in the car earlier tonight a little bit about grace; and the first verse of this passage kinda reminded me of what we were discussing. We should not be a stumbling block for anyone who tries to serve in our ministry. After all, who are we to judge their hearts, their competence and their motives? If it is truly God's will for them to do His work, who are we to doubt otherwise just because we think that they do not have the "right heart" to serve? We as individuals and as a body will endure times of hardship, sleepless nights, distress, and everything mentioned above- however we must do it in patience and kindness- as servants of God. I also find in verses 11-13, Apostle Paul speaks to us Cornerstoners, that as the church of God has opened up its heart to us, we need to open wide our hearts back. If we only let things in but don't let anything back out and give back, can we truly say that we are living the ideal Christian way of life? Thank you for the encouragement, Apostle Paul. c: